Parameters and Technology for Fabricating PIK Reactor Fuel Elements

The construction of the fuel elements of a high-flux PIK research reactor is described. The technological tolerances in the process of fuel-element fabrication are presented. The basic geometric and mass parameters of several standard batches of fabricated fuel elements are determined experimentally. Statistical analysis of the experimental data shows that the deviations in the main parameters fall within the limits of the indicated technological tolerances and are described by a Gaussian distribution to a high degree of accuracy.     

Discrete geometry methods in processing complicated graphical information

The development of efficient techniques for converting information obtained from complicated graphical documents into a digital form is considered. It is shown that the use of discrete geometry methods make it possible to improve the efficiency of many technological stages. The work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 00-15-96018 and by the Integration Foundation, project no. K-03392.     

Monitoring, removal and risk assessment of cytostatic drugs in hospital wastewater.

Cytostatic agents are applied in cancer therapy and subsequently excreted into hospital wastewater. As these substances are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction, they should be removed from wastewater at their source of origin.In this study the fate and effects of the cancerostatic platinum compounds (CPC) cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the anthracyclines doxorubicin, daunorubicin and epirubicin were investigated in hospital wastewater. Wastewater from the in-patient treatment ward of a hospital in Vienna was collected and monitored for the occurrence of the selected drugs. A calculation model was established to spot the correlation between administered dosage and measured concentrations. To investigate the fate of the selected substances during wastewater treatment, the oncologic wastewater was treated in a pilot membrane bioreactor system (MBR) and in downstream advanced wastewater treatment processes (adsorption to activated carbon and UV-treatment). Genotoxic effects of the oncologic wastewater were assessed before and after wastewater treatment followed by a risk assessment.Monitoring concentrations of the selected cytostatics in the oncologic wastewater were in line with calculated concentrations. Due to different mechanisms (adsorption, biodegradation) in the MBR-system 5 - FU and the anthracyclines were removed < LOD, whereas CPC were removed by 60%. In parallel, genotoxic effects could be reduced significantly by the MBR-system. The risk for humans, the aquatic and terrestrial environment by hospital wastewater containing cytostatic drugs was classified as small in a preliminary risk assessment.     

Gamma-Irradiation of Frozen Kiwifruit Pulp

Frozen (–18°C) de-seeded kiwifruit pulp (Actinidia deliciosa) was irradiated at a dose of 100 krad and stored at -18°C. Irradiation resulted in a 2.11 log₁₀ reduction in aerobic plate count (APC) with bacteria being most susceptible. Molds were less susceptible than yeasts. Assessments carried out over 6 months storage showed no significant differences in physical, chemical and sensory properties between irradiated and nonirradiated pulps. The microbial populations of the pulps decreased in parallel throughout the storage period. Frozen storage without irradiation resulted in a 3 log₁₀ reduction in APC over the 6 months period, a 38% reduction in ascorbic acid, and a slight loss of color. Three days frozen storage (– 18°C) following irradiation resulted in an APC only 0.89 log₁₀ higher than 6 months frozen storage (- 18°C) without irradiation with potential savings in energy and holding times which could have economic benefits.     

Maternal and congenital syphilis

Testing for syphilis during pregnancy reveals a positive serologic status in 0.02% of cases. However, a 66% rate of stillbirths is noted in women who are infected and who have not benefited from any treatment. Routine screening is at present performed during the early stages of pregnancy but a second serologic test during the third trimester is useful in the diagnosis of a late infection especially in drug users or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) positive patients. Congenital syphilis is diagnosed in utero when a positive maternal serologic status is associated with ultrasound images showing fetal abnormalities; these include hepatosplenomegaly, hyperechogenic bowel, signs of bowel obstruction or fetal hydrops. Maternal syphilis is treated by delayed action penicillin and is indicated even for patients allergic to the antibiotic which in this particular case is delivered after desensitization. First line therapy by intravenous penicillin is indicated when confronted with the following high risk factors of congenital syphilis: an elevated titre of VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) at the time of diagnosis or delivery, unknown date of the precise onset of the infection, the appearance of a rash or of a chancre during pregnancy, ultrasound fetal abnormalities or late therapy during the third trimester. Treatment of the new-born child will depend on the results of clinical, serologic and X-ray evaluation. Long term follow-up for at least a year is mandatory.     

Properties of slips of zirconia stabilized by oxides of rare earth metals

Casting properties of concentrated aqueous dispersions of zirconia stabilized by Y₂O₃, Si₂O₃, or a mixture of them are investigated. Optimum values of the pH, temperature, and slip concentration for the production of thin-walled vacuum-tight articles are established. Translated from Ogneupory, No. 3, pp. 12–15, March, 1995.     

Examination of veins with magnetic resonance imaging and it's place in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with deep venous thrombophlebitis]

The aim of our study was to show the results of the Magnetic Resonance Angiography of pelvis and lower extremities. 21 patients with clinical signs of venous thrombosis were examined. The obtained results show the MRA is very useful in evaluation of venous flow.     

High dynamic range temperature point sensor using greenfluorescence intensity ratio in erbium-doped silica fiber

We propose a sensor based on the temperature dependant behavior of the two lines of green emission of the erbium ion. The ratio of the intensities of these two lines presents a very low dependance on pump wavelength and pump power fluctuations. The sensitivity of the ratio is 0.013/°C between room temperature and 600°C. In addition, the measurement is self-calibrated